Happy Hogmanay

December 29, 2004

"Hogmanay is the huge Scottish Celebration of New Year's eve - 31st December. Traditionally a time of "First Footing" (Visiting friends & Neighbours) in time for "The Bells" - (Midnight) taking with you various items - to ensure good fortune for the house in the coming year.

More recently though a lot of that is dying down & the tendency is for people to gather in various locations & celebrate publicly - Think New York & Times Square.
The Guys tend to dress up in Kilts & there will be a fair amount of bagpipers around - usually much drink (especially whisky) is consumed & general merriment ensues. On the stroke of midnight everybody sings "Auld Lang Syne" & greets total strangers as if they were long lost friends. Edinburgh does it big & has a huge street party in the town centre (Around 250,000 people - many from all over the world) with bands & fireworks from all the hills surrounding the town)."

How will you celebrate the New Year? Whatever you do, however you celebrate, all the best to you in 2005. Happy New Year!

Posted by at December 29, 2004 4:19 PM

Comments

We will be sippin' mangosas and pickin' with friends, then NOT DRIVING in the wee hours. Remember, New Year's Eve is Amateur Night!

Posted by: Jim Pipkin at December 29, 2004 5:29 PM

i might just meet up with brian. i will certainly be in edinburgh wearing my kilt!

Posted by: Ian Hewitt at December 31, 2004 12:05 PM

Having a T-shirt printed up: I Survived HOGMANAY....2004!

Posted by: Tom Glenn at January 2, 2005 2:42 PM

Went to the south Buffalo (N.Y.) Irish Center to hear local band- The Blarney Bunch. The leader (known him for years) introduced me to my wife c. 30 yrs. ago. But I still talk to him! It was a good time- could have been any weekend night. BUT... in the back room was Kilbrannan hosting a theme party-part medieval, lord of the rings, and/or fantasy. Instead of kilts two of the band wore black tights, quite a few women had quasi-medeival gowns, some wore (fairy) wings, and one guy carried a 4 to 5 foot sword (claymore?).

Posted by: Chuck Germain at January 5, 2005 12:25 AM

Happy Hogmanay & St. Patrick's Day, St. David, St. Andrew, Robert Burns Day,the Easter Rising ...and of course- St. Patrick's Day!!! Let's celebrate them all with a segment each time they come around.

Posted by: Chuck Germain at January 6, 2005 10:08 AM

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